Dubai — At just 23 years old, Mridul Manoj has logged a consecutive daily running streak exceeding 2,000 days since November 20, 2019.
How he started
- Manoj was a former amateur cricketer who admitted that he “actually feared running” originally.
- While studying at Loughborough University in the UK in 2019, he became restless as his interest in cricket waned. During that time he viewed a YouTube video of another streak runner, Hellah Sidibe, which inspired him to set a daily-running challenge.
- On his first day of the challenge (November 20, 2019), he ran over 5 km. He decided to commit to running every single day since then.
The streak in practice
- Each day Manoj logs the run on his Samsung Health app. His minimum target is running at least 3 km each day.
- He has kept the streak alive across two continents, navigating both Dubai’s intense heat and UK’s cold winter months.
- During an ankle injury caused by a basketball landing, he adapted his runs to a lighter load rather than stopping—illustrating his mental commitment.
Why it matters
- The streak is not about running for enjoyment. Manoj states that he still doesn’t like running—what drives him is consistency, resilience and showing up despite discomfort.
- It underscores an important message: endurance and routine can matter more than motivation alone.
- He is now documenting his journey publicly and hopes to apply for a record with Guinness World Records.
Key challenges faced
- Weather extremes: Running in the UAE means battling high temperatures; in the UK, snow and freezing conditions.
- Injury guard-rail: Even while injured he maintained the streak by adjusting distance or intensity rather than skipping.
- Mental toll: The daily commitment demands showing up even on days without enthusiasm; he describes runs as “quite boring”.
For readers
Whether you’re an experienced runner or just starting out, Manoj’s story shows that:
- Starting small (e.g., a handful of kilometres) is still meaningful when done daily.
- Consistency trumps intensity: showing up matters more than how fast or long the run is.
- Having a tracking method (app, logbook) can help reinforce the habit.
- Adversity (weather, small injury, low motivation) will come — the key is adapting rather than quitting.